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California’s budget crisis has meant huge cuts in cities across the Bay Area. Pinole, a city of 18,000 in Contra Costa County, is no exception. Since 2008, Pinole’s property tax revenue has fallen to about half of its former level. Sales tax revenue is down too. As a result, the city’s had to downsize... and volunteers are filling in the gaps. KALW’S Mary Rees visited Pinole to find out how a city runs on free labor.
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California’s budget crisis has meant huge cuts in cities across the Bay Area. Pinole, a city of 18,000 in Contra Costa County, is no exception. Since 2008, Pinole’s property tax revenue has fallen to about half of its former level. Sales tax revenue is down too. As a result, the city’s had to downsize... and volunteers are filling in the gaps. KALW’S Mary Rees visited Pinole to find out how a city runs on free labor.
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Broadcast History
Aired on Crosscurrents on KALW public radio on May 16, 2012.



